Feel the excitement build as your plane lands in Melbourne, Victoria. Collect your bags and  make your way to your pre-booked hotel in the city centre, where you can relax after your flight, take a dip in the pool or head out for your first taste of this colourful city.

The Clarion Suites Gateway is on the banks of the Yarra River and close to the free city-circle tram, so it is a great location to explore Melbourne.

Clarion Suites Gateway, Melbourne
> Other hotels also available – please ask

You have a day to get to know Melbourne before the cricket begins tomorrow. You could:

• Check out the trendy cafés and street art in Melbourne’s famous Laneways
• Wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens
• Catch the tram to St. Kilda and walk along the historic pier
• Take in the panoramic views from the top of the Melbourne Skydeck
• Enjoy a Yarra Valley wine-tasting tour or Puffing Billy steam train ride (both available to pre-book)

Clarion Suite Gateway, Melbourne

On the first day of the Test Match there will be an official Pre-Match Function, featuring former Australian and/or England cricketers – and you’re invited!

And then the action begins… You will have a 5-day ticket for your chosen area of the MCG to see England take on Australia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test Cricket. This iconic ground may hold over 100,000, but we’re pretty sure there won’t be a spare seat in the house!

The 150th Anniversary Test Match is a day-nighter, so you will have time for a leisurely brunch in Melbourne each morning, and perhaps a celebratory glass on the way back to your hotel in the evening.

* Please note, day 5 tickets are general admission

2-day tickets are also available. Your Travel Consultant can alter your itinerary for you.

Clarion Suites Gateway, Melbourne

After a famous England victory (🤞) it’s road trip time!

Collect your hire car and head west from Melbourne across the West Gate Bridge to the provincial town of Geelong, and from there on to Torquay, acclaimed surfing capital of Australia and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Stop at the nearby Bells Beach to look for professional surfers riding the waves.

This part of the journey offers breath taking ocean views, as the road hugs the coastline. You will pass through the delightful resorts of Anglesea and Lorne on your way to your overnight stop at Apollo Bay.

Melbourne > Apollo Bay | 195 kms

Standard: Comfort Inn The International

Deluxe: Captain’s at the Bay

This morning, continue along the Great Ocean Road, skirting Great Otway National Park, towards Port Campbell. You will pass the famous rock formation of the Twelve Apostles, huge stone pillars sticking out of the surf, carved over time by the Southern Ocean. You can also view the London Bridge archway along this ‘Shipwreck Coast’.

Stop at the holiday town of Warrnambool before reaching Port Fairy. This delightful little fishing port at the mouth of the Moyne River is one of the oldest settlements in Victoria, with over 50 buildings classified as historic by the National Trust.

Apollo Bay > Port Fairy | 185 kms

Standard: Seacombe House

Deluxe: Merrijig Inn

Follow the coast to Portland today, a busy deep-water port that is the oldest permanent settlement in Victoria. To the southwest are the spectacular seascapes of Cape Nelson and the blowholes and petrified forest of Cape Bridgwater.

Turn inland to Mt. Gambier, which is located on the slopes of an extinct volcano and is famous for its Blue Lake and Cave, both in the centre of the city. Finally, head on to Robe, a picturesque seaside resort on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

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Port Fairy > Robe | 290 kms

Standard & Deluxe: Robe House B&B

Head north this morning through the lakes and dunes of the stunning Coorong National Park. On reaching Lake Albert, the road turns inland again to Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and Mannum, early pioneer towns on the mighty Murray River.

Your route bypasses Adelaide and heads straight to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s most famous wine producing areas. It is a warm and intimate place of charming old towns, the vineyards spreading across undulating hills in well-tended, precise rows. Enjoy a glass of wine here to celebrate today’s long drive.

Robe > Barossa Valley | 350 kms

Standard: The Wine Vine Hotel

Deluxe: The Lodge Country House

Enjoy time to explore the Barossa Valley this morning. There are many famous wineries to visit, including, Yalumba, Orlando and Penfolds, plus many boutique ones to discover. Some wineries are still run by members of the same families that established them last century and many offer cellar door tasting, as well as gourmet food products and local delicacies, for which the region is famous.

This afternoon travel south through Gawler to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and the end of your Great Ocean Road self drive. Drop your car off, check in to your hotel, and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Barossa Valley > Adelaide | 80 kms

Standard & Deluxe: Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets

You have a full day to explore Adelaide, South Australia’s ‘Garden City’. You could:

• Try some local produce from Adelaide Central Market
• Stroll through Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, then up to the summit!
• Visit Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s premier shopping destination
• Climb the roof of the Adelaide Oval
• Enjoy a dip in the sea from the beaches at Glenelg and Henley

Standard & Deluxe: Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets

Let someone else do the driving today. Early morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for the scenic coach journey past the vineyards and rolling hills of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis, for the equally scenic ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island.

On arrival, you will head to Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided beach walk to see the resident colony of rare Australian sea lions, followed by a delicious two course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro.

In the afternoon you’ll visit Flinders Chase National Park, a wildlife haven, home to echidnas, wallabies and koalas. Remarkable Rocks always offers great photo opportunities, and at Admirals Arch you’ll have a good chance of seeing long-nosed fur seals from the boardwalk that leads down to the rugged cliff face.

Last but not least, you’ll stop at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park to feed some kangaroos and get up close to their koalas, whilst listening to a talk from a park keeper.

Standard & Deluxe: Aurora Ozone, Kangaroo Island

Lunch

Start your day with a delicious, cooked breakfast before heading to Raptor Domain for a fascinating ‘Free Flight’ Birds of Prey Presentation.

Next, travel to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery for a delicious lunch and a guided tour of the oil distillery, and then onto Clifford’s Honey Farm, to see the ‘honey room’ and learn about the extraction process.

Continue to Pennington Bay, a spectacular beach on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, before arriving at your final stop, False Cape Wines Cellar Door for a wine tasting session amongst stunning surroundings.

Your Kangaroo Island tour ends at the Penneshaw Hotel where you have time for dinner (own expense) before your return ferry and coach transfer to Adelaide.

Standard & Deluxe: Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets

Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, check out of your hotel and make your way to Adelaide Airport in time for your flight home, on which you can relive Root reverse scooping and the highlights of your Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island adventure!